Buloke West and Sea Lake Fire Brigades will each receive brand new vehicles in the latest round of the Brumby Labor Government’s Community Safety Emergency Support Program (CSESP) grants, Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad, announced today.
Ms Broad said Buloke West Fire Brigade would contribute $18,416 to secure the new Field Command Vehicle - Nissan Patrol, with the CSESP grant kicking in the remaining $36,833.
Sea Lake Fire Brigade would contribute $17,333 to secure the new Nissan Ultra Light Tanker, with the CSESP grant kicking in the remaining $100,000.
“Buloke West and Sea Lake Fire Brigades have a proud tradition of protecting their local communities and I am sure these new vehicles will help volunteers as they carry out their important work,” Ms Broad said.
“Buloke West and Sea Lake Fire Brigades are a great example of the CSESP in action, and underline the strength of this partnership between communities, volunteers, emergency services agencies and the Brumby Labor Government.
“Last year there was unprecedented demand through this funding program and the Government has responded by doubling the funding available to more than $6.8 million for 2010, allowing local brigades to receive funding for extra emergency equipment.
The grant is part of more than $5.2 million going to CFA brigades across the state, helping 69 brigades secure $7.9 million in additional emergency services equipment.
To date, CFA brigades have received 467 grants worth almost $17.3 million through the CSESP, enabling the purchase of more than $39.5 million in trucks, tankers and other equipment.
“These grants are in addition to this year’s emergency services budget aimed at ensuring Victorian communities are better prepared to address future emergencies,” Ms Broad said.
“Since 2001, more than $30 million in grants has been delivered through the CSESP, directly assisting Victoria’s emergency services volunteers purchase almost $65 million in emergency equipment to protect their local communities.”
Ms Broad said the Brumby Labor Government was proud to support Victoria’s emergency services.
She said the 2010/11 State Budget announced a range of measures aimed at further strengthening the state’s emergency response.
“The State Budget gave Victoria’s emergency services a $136.6 million injection and cemented the Government’s commitment to providing our emergency services volunteers with the resources they need,” Ms Broad said.
Measures funded in the State Budget include:
- $35.4 million for personnel training at Incident Control Centres;
- $28.5 million to upgrade and improve bushfire warnings and upgrade intelligence gathering, and;
- $41.8 million for CFA to help communities better prepare themselves for the bushfire season.
The CSESP is a Victorian Government initiative funded through the Community Support Fund.